Arran Reverie

Ah,words alone could not suffice,
could never match the stirrings of the soul,
as in some distant conurbation,
the sad heart, with sudden strange elation,
yearns to be in Arran.
For in those narrow confines dwell,
high in the hills and on the wave-washed shore,
redeeming spirits, undisguised and splendid.
Preening herself upon her glittering throne
and basking in a radiance all her own,
sits Beauty, marvelling at her loveliness,
which, mirrored in the water far below,
is as the very dawn of all creation.
Across the jagged northern sky 
a million granite jewels are aflame 
as Arran peaks throw back the dying day
upon a rainbowed ocean.
Then,as the backcloth heralding the night,
slips down across the remnants of the day,
the awe-inspiring silhouette is set afloat 
in a sea of silver.
The jewels one by one are plucked from view,
and with them Beauty must vacate her throne,
for Peace now reigns amongst the hills and glens,
and in the dwellings clustered round each bay
the lights are dimmed and all is still.
Far up amongst the dark and brooding hills
only the waters stir, as they pursue
their secret courses downward through the night,
downward to their eternal destination,
their journey’s end, the boundless ocean.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

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George Avatar
January 30, 2023 at 3:16 AM
"Then, as the backcloth heralding the night, slips down across the remnants of the day, the awe-inspiring silhouette is set afloat in a sea of silver." What telling images and what wonderful flight of imagination. I can see it all.... the scintillating beauty of the Arran peaks. Lovely !
Rees Avatar
January 30, 2023 at 4:05 AM
Thank you so much for this lovely comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed my homage to the Isle of Arran, a very special place.
Callus Avatar
January 16, 2023 at 5:23 AM
This is excellent free verse, Peter, especially considering it was written at age 16. Like most Scottish islands, Arran is beautiful and inspiring, and your words are proof of that. ~ Regards // paul
Rees Avatar
January 17, 2023 at 4:56 AM
Thank you for these comments Paul which are truly appreciated. My love of Arran goes back to very early childhood and I’m glad I was able to put it into words, albeit many years ago.
Kyser Avatar
January 16, 2023 at 5:18 AM
Wow, and from the comment, at 16? That's quite a gift at an early age, or at any, for that matter. Beautiful free verse.
Rees Avatar
January 17, 2023 at 5:01 AM
Thank you Jeff. I’ve always had a love of Arran and I enjoy expressing myself in words, sometimes poetic. I’m so pleased that this one from over sixty years ago resonated with you.
Radice Avatar
October 8, 2022 at 12:07 PM
Hi Peter. You certainly brought Arran and The Firth Of Clyde to life here and had me drifting in my thoughts reading this. It reads like a painting if that makes any sense. Love it. Cheers - Gary
Rees Avatar
October 8, 2022 at 1:42 PM
Thanks Gary. A place that’s close to my heart. I wrote this poem when I was sixteen . So good of you to comment ,my friend.
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